14 replies to this topic

[newenglandmini]

I just received my new Minispares windscreen for my '74 Mini 1000.  The windscreen is 1/2" narrower than the windscreen I removed.  I have lot's of body repairs to accomplish, so I am not prepared to attempt to install the new windscreen at this time.  Is there a problem with the new windscreen?  I attached an image of the label on the removed windscreen.  Is it an original factory part?

 

 DSCN4951.JPG   51.05K   60 downloads

 

 DSCN4956.JPG   82.49K   40 downloads

 

 

[[email protected]]

Hi Corey

There is no reason for this, we did get your e-mail and we are looking into why this is dimensionally wrong/different. They are the same width across all years as standard so please bear with us whilst we check our stock

Thanks

[minisilverbullet]

I just received my new Minispares windscreen for my '74 Mini 1000.  The windscreen is 1/2" narrower than the windscreen I removed.  I have lot's of body repairs to accomplish, so I am not prepared to attempt to install the new windscreen at this time.  Is there a problem with the new windscreen?  I attached an image of the label on the removed windscreen.  Is it an original factory part?

 

DSCN4951.JPG

 

DSCN4956.JPG

 

 

Is it the front screen? 

[lewBlew]

Aren't US Mini 'windshields' different sizes to UK windscreens?

 

EDIT: I may be making that up, but sure I read it somewhere.

Edited by lewBlew, 26 February 2014 - 03:50 PM.

[newenglandmini]

Thank you Simon.  I had hoped that someone might be able to decipher the coding on the removed windshield.  For the record, my car is Canadian; Mini imports to the US ceased after 1969 because of US federal bumper regulations.  Fortunately no Mini's were ever fabricated with those awful MGB/Spitfire US monster bumpers.

 

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[A-Cell]

Front Windscreens always the same dimensions.
Re bumpers , whilst the US never got anymore Minis after 1970 due to Ralph Nader's "Unsafe at any Speed" influences, Canadian Minis carried on for another 10 years with 'interesting bumpers' amongst other safety related mods.
http://www.aronline....canadian-minis/

[mk3 Cooper S]

The screen rubbers are wider in the later cars but thought the screens are the same size.

 

We used to add laminated screens to our early cars and I dont remember any issues either.

[tiger99]

Yes, all Minis, even Innocentis and other foreign built variants, had the same windscreen size, and windscreen surround/scuttle panel (ok that did differ by some having only two wiper holes, but the pressing was the same). It is supposedly the only part of the car that never changed at all, except for tinted, heated or laminated variations. I had hoped that it was not so, because I was hoping that a bonded windscreen would be available, to eliminate leaks and subsequent corrosion, which would involve a larger glass to overlap on to the metalwork, but sadly I was disappointed. There is no reason at all why any windscreens would be smaller than normal.

 

And yes, the rubber width did change, and I would be very interested to know if the new, wider one is actually any better than the original.

 

There were some chopped and lowered Minis at one time (some metal taken out of the pillars, and below the waistline) which must have used windscreens smaller in the vertical direction, but same width.

[cambiker71]

Have you measured each windscreen or laid one on top of the other and it looks different? 

 

Looking at the pic it appears you're comparing them without measuring them individually? 

[GraemeC]

The later rubber is generally thought of as worse than the earlier one as it traps water in the recess. You'll notice that Minis with that rubber from new are much more prone to the windscreen flange, rail and scuttle rotting out.

[tiger99]

Thanks! Much as I suspected, as the later ones do indeed seem to rust more prolifically in that area. So now we should all know which seal to use next time.

[newenglandmini]

Simon asked me to measure them.  This is my response:

 

I measured the windscreens around the curvature, and across the widest dimension near the bottom.  I also measured the height of the windscreen at the mid-point.

 

Triplex: Width - 46 3/8" Height - 15 5/8"

 

Minispares: Width - 46" Height - 15 1/2"

 

Simon advised me that the Triplex labeling shown in my image above indicates that the removed windscreen is an original factory part.

[The Matt]

Very curious. I have a fairly new Minispares windscreen in mine. I can pop it out and measure it if it helps? Are your measurements taken centrally across the height and width?

[tiger99]

As a matter of interest, who makes the Minispares windscreens? It will be shown in the legally required permanent markings, usually near one corner, which tell you things like the type of glass (safety or laminated) and which standards it complies with.

 

I would be very surprised if it was not one of the big manufacturers, possibly even Triplex, which is why I am surprised that there is a difference.

[newenglandmini]

Very curious. I have a fairly new Minispares windscreen in mine. I can pop it out and measure it if it helps? Are your measurements taken centrally across the height and width?

 

Yes, I would like to know your measurements.

 

I measured the windscreen centrally for height.

 

I measured the width at the largest width, near the bottom, just before the bottom rounded corners.  It's difficult to get an accurate measurement.  I measured both windscreens several times to ensure that I measured the maximum width.  I placed the windscreen on my workbench convex side up, adhesive taped the measuring tape to the one edge and measured around the curvature to the other edge.